This content is created by the Healthline editorial team and is funded by a third party sponsor. The content is objective, medically accurate, and adheres to Healthline's editorial standards and policies. The content is not directed, edited, approved, or otherwise influenced by the advertisers represented on this page, with exception of the potential recommendation of the broad topic area.

The Dangers of Abruptly Stopping Antidepressants

Written by Kimberly Holland and Valencia Higuera Medically Reviewed on April 3, 2017 by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, CRNP

Are you feeling better and think
you’re ready to stop taking your antidepressant? It may seem like you no longer
need the medication, but in most cases, it’s contributing to your improved
feelings. That’s why it’s important you stick with the treatment prescribed by
your doctor. If you think you’re ready to stop taking an antidepressant, ask
your doctor to create a plan of action that will help your body slowly adjust
to being without the medicine.

Antidepressants help balance
brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These brain chemicals affect your
mood and emotions. An imbalance can cause major depression or anxiety
disorders. Antidepressants correct this imfbalance, but it can take four weeks or
more to get the maximum effect.

If you feel like stopping
your medicine because of bothersome side effects, remember that finding the
right treatment may take trial and error and some tweaking. Don’t stop taking
the medicine until you have spoken with your doctor. It might seem like you
don’t need the medication anymore, but if you stop taking it, the medicine will
leave your body and your symptoms might return. Quitting without consulting
your doctor can be life-threatening. Suicide is a serious concern. It can also
trigger withdrawal symptoms and relapse of your depression. If you relapse and
start taking an antidepressant again, it can take weeks for the drug to rebalance
your mood.

Side effects of quitting medication

You get sick. Antidepressant
discontinuation syndrome, also called antidepressant withdrawal, occurs when a
person abruptly stops taking antidepressant medication. Many people who
experience antidepressant withdrawal feel like they have the flu or a stomach
bug. They may also experience disturbing thoughts or images.

You set back your treatment. Stopping medication can set back your treatment plan.
It can increase the time it takes to feel better or it can actually cause your
symptoms to worsen.

You contemplate suicide. Not being properly treated may increase your risk of suicidal
thoughts. It also increases the risk that you’ll act on those thoughts. The
most common health problem linked to suicide is depression, says the American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention.

Other symptoms get worse. Stopping
an antidepressant might worsen other symptoms associated with your depression
such as headaches, pain, or insomnia. Additionally, untreated depression can
make it harder for you to manage other health problems.

Antidepressants and pregnancy

Just found out you’re
pregnant? Don’t stop taking your antidepressant medication. According to the American
College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, pregnant women who have untreated or
poorly treated psychiatric health problems, including depression, may be less
likely to take good care of themselves during pregnancy. Let the doctor who is treating
your depression know that you are pregnant. And, of course, let the doctor
managing your pregnancy know that you have depression and are taking
medication. Together, you can make decisions about how to best treat your
depression during pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor

Some people with depression
stay on their medication indefinitely. Others are able to stop taking it after
a period of weeks or months. The best way to stop taking your antidepressant is
to slowly taper the medication under a doctor’s supervision. This involves slowly
lowering the dose of medication until you are completely off of it. Talk to
your healthcare provider about incorporating the following lifestyle changes to
improve your overall health, lessen the symptoms of depression, and prevent it
from recurring:

exercise

meditation

getting plenty of sleep

not abusing alcohol and drugs

eating healthy, balanced meals

reducing stress

No two people will respond
to quitting antidepressants in the same way. Doctors have no way of knowing who
will have withdrawal symptoms and who won’t. Talk with your doctor and don’t
gamble on your health and wellness.